First it was Carlos Vela, who you (rightly, as it turns out) believed to be the real deal. Then Nicklas Bendtner was the supposed messiah.

Then - and I've clearly left chronological order long behind here - there was Ryo Miyaichi and Sanchez Watt and Craig Eastmond and Mark Randall and Fran Merida and Justin Hoyte and David Bentley and Arturo Lupoli and Emmanuel Frimpong and Gilles Sunu and a thousand other names I cannot remember right now.

Wednesday's Arsenal transfer stories from other newspapers and websites

Puma want Balotelli deal done

The Daily Express reports that sports manufacturers Puma are putting pressure on Arsenal to seal a deal for Mario Balotelli before July 10 - so that he can feature at the Gunners' new kit launch.

The 23-year-old is believed to be closing in on a £27million move to the Emirates Stadium from AC MIlan.

And the German sportswear giants - who are the new kit suppliers to Arsenal and who also have an endorsement deal with the Italian striker - want Balotelli in place to play a prominent role in the club's kit unveiling.

They reckon Balotelli will have a similar impact to Mesut Ozil, whose arrival last summer saw a substantial rise in shirt sales.

Talks held with Alexis Sanchez

According to the Daily Star, Arsenal have moved to the head of the queue in the race for Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez.

(Image: David Ramos)

The 25-year-old has reportedly been told that he is free to leave the Camp Nou this summer.

And Arsene Wenger has reportedly held talks with the Chilean's representatives over a potential switch - jumping ahead of Liverpool, Manchester United and Juventus in the race for the forward.